Chapter Summaries

Ian admitted he doubted Viserys’s fitness to rule, and Illyrio revealed that Rhaegar and Elia’s son Aegon had survived. Illyrio tested Ian’s allegiance, and Ian left him to choose between Viserys and Aegon.

• Ian confessed that Viserys had abused Elia and feared he would become another Mad King, though Ian believed he had no choice but to support him.
• Illyrio told Ian that Prince Rhaegar’s son Aegon was alive and had been raised in Essos after another child was killed in his place.
• Ian questioned Aegon’s claim to the throne but became excited at the prospect of his return.
• Illyrio argued that Robert Baratheon had seized the throne despite the laws Ian invoked for Viserys’s succession.
• When Illyrio asked whether he chose Viserys or Aegon, Ian said Illyrio’s choice was his.

Bran discovered Cersei and Jaime together, and Jaime shoved him from the tower to keep their affair secret. As Catelyn’s guards captured Cersei and surrounded Jaime, he abandoned his escape and charged at them.

• Bran saw Cersei and Jaime together, and Jaime pushed him out of the window after asking his age.
• Catelyn rushed to Bran, while Jaime fled down the tower stairs and fought his way past guards.
• Catelyn ordered Ser Rodrik to pursue Jaime and secure Winterfell’s gates as she held Bran’s body.
• Guards captured Cersei and brought her naked to Catelyn, exposing her affair with Jaime.
• Jaime saw Cersei captive, turned back in rage, and charged the guards surrounding him.

Odis told Jaime that Robert had killed Cersei and was preparing to punish her children, but Eddard stopped him and Robert summoned the realm’s bannermen to war against the Westerlands. Odis offered Jaime a way to help the Westerlands survive if he persuaded Tywin to hear his proposal.

• Jaime begged Odis to return to Winterfell and save Cersei and their children, but Odis said it was too late and told him Robert had killed Cersei.
• Robert prepared to kill Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen, but Eddard confronted him and persuaded him to spare the children.
• Robert ordered Maester Luwin to summon the realm’s lords and named Eddard Hand of the King to command the armies.
• Odis told Jaime that Robert was summoning the bannermen to prepare for war against the Westerlands.
• Odis offered Jaime a chance to save the Westerlands if he could persuade Tywin to consider his proposal.

Ian traveled with Daron to Hazan's White Blade Arena, having chosen not to use Illyrio's forces against Andar Pyle so he would not arouse Illyrio's suspicions. Hazan wondered whether Ian was deliberately helping him, and Ian arrived at the arena as Hazan awaited their meeting.

• Ian decided to kill Andar during the tourney rather than use Illyrio's Unsullied, since an immediate move against Suda Tytellus's champion might make Illyrio suspect Ian and Darren Grafton were working together.
• Hazan and Deliph discussed whether Ian had deliberately hinted that Viserys resented Illyrio, and whether Ian's apparent support for Hazan served some hidden purpose.
• Deliph told Hazan that Cilia had planned to recruit Ian for their faction, but believed that was no longer necessary because Ian already wanted to help Hazan.
• Ian and Daron arrived at the White Blade Arena with sixteen Unsullied guarding their carriage, then followed a eunuch down into the arena.
• As Ian descended the underground staircase, wavering lamplight cast shadows that briefly reminded him of the attack with a fishing net and a warhammer.

Ian visited Hazan’s underground White Blade Arena, where Hazan enthusiastically presented his fighters and urged him to support his claim against Suda Tytellus. Hazan then pressed Ian to say whether they were friends.

• Ian descended with Daron Grafson and Yada into the White Blade Arena and saw its young noble spectators cheering a gladiator match.
• Deliph Hauket welcomed the party and explained that the Braavos Party had rented an underground arena because abolitionists could not openly revive gladiatorial contests.
• Hazan Moharres introduced himself to Ian and treated him with striking familiarity, asking to be called by his name.
• Hazan showed Ian his recruited fighters, including a former Dothraki khal and a Summer Isles mercenary king, and asked him to tell Viserys to support him.
• Ian said assessing Hazan’s chances was Daron Grafson’s task, and Hazan asked Ian directly whether he considered him a friend.

Ian admitted that he had engineered the banquet to befriend Hazan and offered to help him gain Illyrio’s support. After learning that Hazan already knew two Water Dancers planned to defect and was worried about Suda’s new champion, Ian proposed a way to weaken the defectors and offered additional fighters, including Sir Keith.

• Ian told Hazan that he had advised Illyrio to support Hazan’s uncle and had arranged an opportunity for them to cooperate.
• Ian revealed that the Sea Lord had persuaded two of Hazan’s Water Dancers to defect to Suda, but Hazan said he already knew.
• Hazan explained that Suda had recruited a powerful Andal warrior who had quickly defeated Naiad’s Claw, leaving the tournament chances roughly even.
• Ian suggested using delayed-effect poison on the two Water Dancers, and Deliph identified Gray Mushroom Powder as a suitable poison.
• Ian offered Hazan substitute warriors, including his sworn knight Sir Keith, whom he described as exceptionally strong.

Daenerys worried that marrying Khal Drogo would leave her forever separated from the home she had never known, and warned Ian that Viserys was dangerous. Ian recruited Jorah Mormont to try out for Prince Hazan’s deadly contest, and Jorah agreed to meet him after dinner.

• Daenerys reflected on her coming marriage to Khal Drogo and feared she would never return to Westeros.
• Daenerys warned Ian that Viserys was selfish, violent, and liable to turn on those who served him.
• Ian found Jorah Mormont on Illyrio’s grand terrace and offered him a chance to earn one thousand Gold Dragons in Prince Hazan’s contest.
• Ian explained that seven fighters on each side would battle until one side was completely killed, and invited Jorah to the trials that night.
• Jorah accepted the invitation and said he would find Ian after dinner.

Andar Pyle and Belz discussed Darren Grafton’s fighters and their plans for the tournament. At the White Blade Arena, Prince Hazan introduced Ian to his half-sister Cilia and revealed that she had fallen in love with Ian at first sight, leaving Ian to wonder why Hazan was offering him such a close alliance.

• Andar Pyle and Belz assessed Jorah Mormont, the Elephant Hunter, and the mercenary they had recruited for the upcoming tournament.
• Ian arrived at the White Blade Arena with his companions, and Jorah went to prepare for the qualifying match while Keith waited beneath the main stand.
• Prince Hazan introduced Cilia as his younger sister, explaining that she was secretly fostered at the Red Temple as their mother's illegitimate daughter.
• Cilia reproached Ian for not visiting her at the Red Temple, and Ian said he had been too busy with Hazan's tournament.
• Hazan told Ian that Cilia had fallen in love with him at first sight and asked whether he would become a closer ally; Ian silently questioned Hazan's motives as Cilia glanced at him.

Ian accepted Hazan’s offer to marry Cilia but asked him to keep the betrothal secret until Ian had tried to persuade Illyrio to join their camp. As Ian questioned Hazan’s apparent lack of interest in recruiting Illyrio, Jorah fought and killed a Slave Warrior in the arena.

• Hazan proposed that Ian marry his sister Cilia, and Ian eagerly accepted while asking that their betrothal remain unannounced until after he approached Illyrio.
• Hazan agreed to keep the engagement secret, prompting Ian to suspect that Hazan had never intended to recruit Illyrio.
• Ian ended the conversation when Jorah entered the fighting area to face a Slave Warrior.
• Jorah endured the Slave Warrior’s low attacks and dirty tactics, then knocked him down and beat him until he could no longer resist.
• Jorah took the Slave Warrior’s dagger and slit his throat, drawing cheers from the arena.

After Jorah passed Hazan’s arena test, Hazan and Cilia tried to secure Ian’s support through a marriage alliance. Ian investigated Hazan’s motives and concluded that Hazan might be planning to kill Illyrio before the Khal’s wedding, then left to confirm his suspicions.

• Jorah defeated Hazan’s slave fighter, and Hazan invited Ian and his companions to the Prince’s Palace competition.
• Hazan told Deliph that he wanted Ian on his side, and he asked Cilia to win Ian over at the Red Temple.
• Ian tested Hazan’s conspiracy with the quest system and found that Hazan bore him no hostility.
• Ian realized Hazan might value him because he could influence Viserys and Daenerys, then suspected Hazan planned to kill Illyrio and needed Ian to keep Daenerys from seeking revenge.
• Ian considered who might be influencing Hazan and how Hazan could attack Illyrio despite his political and military disadvantages, then left his room to confirm several details.

Ian learned that the duel between Prince Hazan and Suda Tytellus risked escalating into civil war, then used a falcon to scout Pentos and assess the forces gathering there. He ended the night surveying key sites across the city, including the Merchant Guild headquarters, the Red Temple, and the harbor.

• Ian asked Steward Mills about the duel and learned that the Hauket and Tytellus families had moved private troops toward Pentos, while Governor Illyrio arranged to separate his garrison from Hazan's forces.
• Mills explained that the Merchant Guild could defend the XC District with its guards, sailors, Unsullied, and allies, and that Old Governor Rotalus's First Banner Guard would secure the Prince's Palace during the duel.
• Ian returned to his residence, asked Roar to summon Hazrul and investigators connected to the Red Temple and Gini Teme Incident, then used Skinchanging to enter a falcon.
• Ian flew over Pentos and saw that private forces had gathered at the estates of Governors Hauket, Tytellus, and Morgan, as well as Prince Hazan's residence.
• Ian assessed the Tytellus cavalry and Hauket infantry, then surveyed the Merchant Guild headquarters, Red Temple, harbor, Freedom Street, and Joma Inn.

Ian assessed Illyrio's Mansion's defenses and questioned Little Mouse and a Red Priestess about Gini Temay, Cilia, and a past investigation. After discovering clues that made him rethink the danger around Hazan's plan, Ian began forming a scheme to become Pentos's victor himself.

• Ian surveyed Illyrio's Mansion and concluded that its defenses were strong, making killing Illyrio outside the mansion Hazan's best option.
• Ian questioned Little Mouse and the Red Priestess, learning that Cilia was the High Priest's daughter and that someone had secretly investigated Gini Temay before his visit to the Red Temple.
• The Red Priestess recalled that a merchant had died at the temple around that time and that the City Watch's Third Banner Company had investigated.
• Ian asked for Cilia's movements throughout October, then sent the two visitors away and weighed whether to support Hazan or Illyrio.
• Ian heard a voice and began devising a plan to seize power in Pentos himself.

Ian told Illyrio that Prince Hazan had proposed a marriage between Ian and Hazan’s sister, and Illyrio advised him to keep Hazan hopeful while remaining loyal. Illyrio then took Ian to his treasure room to choose a wedding gift for the Princess and Khal, where Ian became fascinated by a mechanical clock.

• Ian visited Illyrio and reported that Prince Hazan wanted him to marry Hazan’s sister.
• Illyrio advised Ian to accept the proposal for now and preserve the appearance that Hazan might gain his support.
• Ian asked Illyrio for help choosing a gift for the Princess and Khal’s approaching wedding, and Illyrio offered to sponsor one.
• Illyrio led Ian through a shrine to R’hllor and into his underground treasure room to view his collection and dragon egg fossils.
• Ian examined a jeweled mechanical clock, and Illyrio explained how it told the time.

Ian examined Illyrio’s treasures, chose a Dragonbone Bow as a gift for Drogo, and improved his willpower and Skinchanger skill. That night in Winterfell, a woman appeared to a drunken Robert as Lyanna and comforted him.

• Ian inspected Illyrio’s collection and opened the chest containing three dragon eggs intended for Daenerys.
• Ian picked up a Dragonbone Bow, deciding that a weapon would be a more suitable gift for Drogo than the dragon eggs.
• Ian spent both Attribute Points on willpower and upgraded Skinchanger to Intermediate.
• In Winterfell, Robert mistook a woman for Lyanna and mourned his lost love while embracing her.
• The woman gently comforted Robert and promised she would never leave him again.

Bronn received Lucian’s orders to return to the mercenary company and wait near the harbor after the tourney. At the Red Temple, Ian confronted Cilia over the false prophecy and began explaining how the Little Blackies had established themselves in Pentos, ending as he revealed that Gini Temay’s absent ally had secretly watched them.

• Dorian told Bronn that Lucian expected him to return to the mercenary company after the tourney and wait near the harbor, promising castles and titles if they succeeded.
• Cilia led Ian to her chamber and claimed the flames foretold the Long Night, Ian wielding Lightbringer, and their child ruling humanity.
• Ian said he saw a Little Blackie full of lies, then described how Gini Temay and his allies gained influence and resources in Pentos.
• Ian explained that one Little Blackie had invested Skill Points in Red God magic and used a credible identity to conceal herself from other players.
• Ian revealed that Gini had changed his name after recruiting his allies, unaware that the ally who missed their meeting had been watching them from the shadows.

Ian exposed Cilia’s scheme to marry him and exploit his power, then recruited her as a subordinate ally through the system’s binding alliance mechanism. With their alliance established, he asked her to reveal everything she knew about Hazan’s plan.

• Ian explained that Cilia had used her identity as Prince Hazan’s sister to pursue marriage with him and planned to benefit from his power and resources.
• Cilia denied intending to betray Ian and reasoned that he wanted her help because she still had value to him.
• Ian offered Cilia an alliance in which she would be the submitter, making betrayal subject to severe system penalties.
• Cilia accepted, and the system established an alliance between Player 6 as Ally and Player 37 as Submitter.
• Ian declined to demand resource sharing and asked Cilia to explain Hazan’s plan, while she asked how he had uncovered her identity.

Ian explained how Hazan’s contradictory behavior led him to conclude that a player with a divine office was steering Hazan toward killing Illyrio. He connected that player’s motive to Cilia’s planned marriage to him, leaving her to face his deduction about her role.

• Ian told Cilia that Hazan’s reactions to his offer to recruit Illyrio and his marriage proposal had exposed a contradiction.
• Ian reasoned that Hazan must have expected Illyrio to die before Ian left Pentos, since Hazan agreed to postpone the marriage until after Ian persuaded Illyrio.
• Ian concluded that the plot against Illyrio was absent from the original work and required a player with enough influence to direct Hazan.
• Ian and Cilia identified divine office as the means by which a player could gain Hazan’s trust through Red God magic.
• Ian reasoned that the player had spared him and benefited him because the player’s plan involved Cilia marrying him.

Ian explained how he uncovered Cilia’s schemes and inferred that Prince Hazan planned to ally with Governor Graero Tytellus against Illyrio. He left Cilia stunned by revealing that he had connected Hazan’s troop movements to the tournament scheduled for the next day.

• Ian explained that Cilia had arranged for Prince Hazan to become his only viable ally and deduced that she had killed a traitorous player who joined Andar Pyle.
• Cilia confirmed Ian’s deductions and admitted she had diverted Andar Pyle to protect her plan to connect Hazan with Ian.
• Ian identified Governor Graero Tytellus as Hazan’s ally, prompting Cilia to wonder whether Ian had become the Three-Eyed Crow.
• Ian reasoned that Hazan would use brute force against Illyrio and needed an ally powerful enough to help him survive the resulting conflict.
• Ian concluded that an alliance with Tytellus could keep Illyrio from suspecting Hazan’s troop movements, then connected the plan to the tournament scheduled for the next day.

Ian uncovered how Hazan and Governor Tytellus planned to trap Illyrio and attack his forces, while Cilia explained how she had helped forge their alliance. After hearing the full scheme, Ian rejected Cilia’s suggested path and quietly revealed his own plan.

• Ian concluded that Hazan and Governor Tytellus had arranged to separate Illyrio’s mercenaries from his forces and built up an overwhelming advantage for an attack.
• Ian recalled that Governor Tytellus could have informed Hazan about Suda’s Water Dancers and found mercenaries gathered at Tytellus-owned sites near the southwestern districts.
• Ian accused Cilia of using magic and drugs at the Red Temple to make Hazan and the governors believe Illyrio would bring Drogo’s cavalry into Pentos.
• Cilia admitted she had manipulated Hazan, Governor Hauket, and Governor Tytellus into setting aside their disputes and planning to eliminate Illyrio.
• Cilia explained that the conspirators planned to lure Illyrio into the Palace of the Council, attack his forces, and kill him when he emerged.
• Ian rejected Cilia’s proposal to ally with Hazan and whispered his own plan to her.

Ian persuaded Cilia to abandon her plan and help disrupt the original storyline, then warned Illyrio that Hazan and Tytellus planned to move against him. Illyrio prepared to flee with the King and Princess, but Ian proposed using the time before the plot against them began to act at the Palace of the Council.

• Ian argued that they should disrupt the original storyline to thwart players who relied on it, and Cilia agreed to find a ship and warn Hazan.
• Ian ordered Cilia to keep a cat he controlled nearby so he could watch her, and she learned he considered her his secretary.
• Ian rushed to Illyrio and revealed that Hazan had allied with Tytellus to attack him during the tournament.
• Illyrio believed the warning and decided to flee with the King and Princess, planning to use Drogo's Khalasar against their enemies.
• Ian explained that Hazan wanted him to take the Princess to the Summit Temple and suggested Illyrio use the time before that happened to act at the Palace of the Council.